Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XXIV, Middle East Region and Arabian Peninsula, 1969–1972; Jordan, September 1970

114. Telegram From the Embassy in Kuwait to the Department of State¹

Kuwait, March 16, 1972, 0600Z.

427. Subject: US Military Sales to Kuwait.

1. Saw Chief of Staff General Mubarak Mar 15. Said I wanted to consult with him on current state of play regarding possible US military sales to Kuwait.² As I understood it DOD survey team’s report was to provide basis (A) for Kuwaitis to determine their defense needs and (B) for USG determine what we prepared offer Kuwait in terms of weapons, spare parts and training. Until report received,³ GOK would not take any decision to buy any major military items connected with air defense from anyone. Gen Mubarak said this was exactly right. He expected US report to “open our eyes” as to Kuwait’s defense needs. Once these needs identified, GOK would be requesting US equipment and help. Mubarak said he required report urgently.

2. I said frankly was glad obtain this reading from Gen Mubarak since we did not want to be told later, or read in newspapers, that GOK had tired of waiting for USG reply and had decided make its purchases elsewhere. Gen Mubarak replied GOK did not intend sign any air defense related contracts before studying USG report. “We still intend to go US on these military requirements,” he said.

3. I said as Gen Mubarak aware, number of American companies were visiting Kuwait wanting to see highest level Kuwaiti military and financial government officials. What did he advise? I added it would be useful if our company reps were able see knowledgeable officers in Kuwaiti military who would listen to their briefings and receive materials on weapons systems. Such information would be valuable at such time as Kuwait began to make firm decisions on purchases. Gen Mubarak said it would be premature for company reps to see him or MinDef. However, obtaining information on various weapons systems useful. He said he would assign Col Sayegh and working military committee to be points of contact for any US companies interested in military programs for Kuwait. He added any discussion with GOK reps of possible commercial financing for military sales also premature.

4. Gen Mubarak said GOK had made decision to “go government-to-government” on US military contracts. I observed we had been thinking in terms company-to-government, and there many advantages to this arrangement which I would be glad review. Mubarak replied he familiar with pros and cons of both routes. “Our decision to go government-to-government is final,” he said.

5. In answer my question, Gen Mubarak said he planned send Kuwait AF team (Kuwait 0186)⁴ to US “about June.” I asked him let me know as much in advance as possible in order insure our companies ready to receive team. Mubarak agreed.

6. Comment: Foregoing puts present situation in clear perspective: (A) GOK wants team report soonest, (B) GOK at this writing not contemplating signing military contracts connected with air defense with anyone prior receipt our report, (C) until report received and studied it premature for our companies to expect do any serious negotiating with GOK, or indeed to see any Kuwaiti military figures higher than working committee, (D) GOK expecting report to contain specific recommendations re weapons systems for Kuwait; it obviously to our interest do so, within limits our laws. More specific we are, quicker and smoother will be our road to actually signing contracts. Freewheeling competition only calculated confuse Kuwaitis and give advantage to competitor nations who free to push individual firms.

7. Suggest Dept brief our interested companies on present state of play as described above.

8. Obviously sooner we obtain survey team’s report and can deliver it to GOK, sooner we able get off pad on US military sales in Kuwait.

Stoltzfus

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 KUW. Secret.
2. On January 13, Selden wrote Laird that “Kuwait clearly intends to lessen its dependence on British arms and, if the U.S. is unable to respond, will undoubtedly turn to French or other third country alternatives. The U.S. already has a considerable stake in Kuwait, principally in oil, and would stand to preserve and enlarge the stake by a well-conceived and successful arms sales program.” Selden argued that this could best be met through a Department of Defense survey team. Laird signed his approval. (Ibid., RG 218, Records of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Records of Admiral Thomas Moorer, Box 17, 091 Kuwait) The team, which included Wrampelmeier, arrived in Kuwait on February 19. (Telegram 21113 to Kuwait, February 4; ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 KUW)
3. While General Mubarak received an advance copy, the report of the survey team was submitted to the Kuwaiti Government on April 12. (Telegram 601 from Kuwait, April 10, and telegram 635 from Kuwait, April 13; ibid., DEF 6 KUW) No copy of the report was found. The Kuwaiti Government was to have transmitted the results of its review of the report to the United States by June 27. (Telegram 1094 from Kuwait, June 18; ibid.) However, no evidence that Kuwait actually transmitted a formal response to the survey team’s report was found.
4. Dated February 8. (Ibid.)